INQUESTS have opened on two women who were killed in an inflatable artwork tragedy.

The women died and three-year-old Rosie Wright was seriously injured when the inflatable Dreamspace broke free and flew 30ft before crashing in Chester-le-Street, Co Durham.

In total, 13 people were injured, including other children, when the exhibition flipped over.

The funerals of Claire Furmedge, 38, from Chester-le-Street, and Elizabeth Anne Collings, 66, of Seaham, Co Durham, will be this week.

In June, the Dreamspace dome was damaged when it was displayed on the plaza of Liverpool's Metropolitan cathedral before it was moved to the north east.

The structure was ripped up by a gang, who also threatened a security guard as they went on the rampage, delaying Dreamscape's Liverpool launch.

Durham police have said the repair work was one of many lines of inquiry.

The inquest was adjourned for an inquiry by the police and Health and Safety Executive.

Rosie, from County Durham, suffered multiple fractures and a punctured lung after she fell 50ft and was crushed by a metal fan.

* In last Thursday's ECHO, we said Dreamspace had been created by Giles Agis, who is chief executive of Liverpool arts organisation Brouhaha International. In fact, it was created by his father, the artist, Maurice Agis. We are sorry for the error.